I'd like to thank you all for your continued support of the department of internal medicine.

As we move through the second half of the academic year, our department is continuing its aggressive growth that will enhance our patient centered teaching, research and care. In this issue we highlight our achievements from the first 6 months and the previous calendar year, and share some of the exciting changes already under way. We cannot achieve all we do without the contributions of our partners and supporters - which is why we inaugurated the partner mission awards at our annual celebration of success in December.

Grand rounds have resumed with an enriching array of topics from world-renowned experts. Our faculty are at the forefront of assisting the new leadership of USF Health with improving and enhancing operations, as we continually expand the breadth and richness of our own endeavors.

This is an exciting time for USF Health, the Morsani College of Medicine, and our Department, and we are glad you are a part of it.

Joel Ricther MD FACP MACG, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Division Director, presented a State of the Art Lecture - What's New in Gastroesophageal Reflux for 2015 at the Mexican GI Association Meeting in Cancun, Mexico in November to more than 2,000 gastroenterologists. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Texas and MD Anderson Medical Center in January, where he gave talks on: Achalasia - New Diagnostic Tests and Treatments; Eosinophilic Esophagitis - Let's Keep it Simple; and Medical and Surgical Treatment of GERD.

Gail Lewis RN CCRP, Clinical Research Coordinator with the Division of Rheumatology, recently passed an exam to become a Certified Clinical Research Professional.

The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) has developed an International Certification Program in order to create an internationally-accepted standard of knowledge, education, and experience by which CRPs will be recognized as Certified Clinical Research Professionals (CCRP�s) in the clinical research community. The standards upon which this certification program is based have been set forth by this organization to promote recognition and continuing excellence in the ethical conduct of clinical trials.

Barbara C Hansen PhD, Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Director of our Obesity, Diabetes & Aging Preclinical Research Center, was recently elected as a member of the American Society for Nutrition Class of 2015 Fellows. This is the highest honor the Society bestows. Dr. Hansen will be recognized for her career achievements during the ASN Awards Ceremony on March 29th.

Joel Richter MD FACP MACG, Director of the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, and John Sinnott MD FACP, Chairman, were appointed by Dean Charles Lockwood to serve as members on the USFPG/UMSA/MSSC Executive Management Committee (EMC) beginning January 1, 2015.

Stephen Clum MD, PhDjoins the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at USF. Dr. Clum obtained his PhD in Biochemistry and his medical degree from the University of Kansas. He completed the combined Internal Medicine and Pediatric residency program at USF from 2001-2005. He then completed his fellowship training at USF in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine from 2005-2008. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Clum returns to USF from Springfield, Missouri where he has been in private practice for the past six years. His practice interests include interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, pediatric sleep medicine, and critical care medicine.

Sarah McCauleyjoins the Rheumatology Division as the Rheumatology Fellowship Coordinator and the Assistant Nephrology Fellowship Coordinator. Sarah spent a few years prior working directly with providers in a highly productive healthcare environment and ensuring proper credentialing. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of South Florida and is now both a proud alumnae and staff member.

Rahul Bhakta MD joined the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Assistant Professor January 28th. He earned his medical degree at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi and completed his internal medicine internship and residency training at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in 2014. He is board certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Bhakta will be seeing patients at Tampa General Hospital on the MAIN Hospitalist service.

On Tuesday January 13th the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine's faculty and fellows held a faculty dinner for an update on recent faculty changes and honor Dr. Solomon, who has served as division director for the past 20 years. The updates were started by Dr. Mark Rumbak, who was appointed Interim Director for the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine effective January 1, 2015. With more than 22 years at USF, Dr. Rumbak is a leader in patient care and has been actively involved in strategic growth initiatives for the division.

The faculty recognized Assistant Professor Robert Geck MD, who will be leaving USF to return to Wisconsin, and welcome Dr. Stephen

(from left to right) Drs. Mark Rumbak, David Solomon, and John Sinnott

Clum who started his first month on service. Dr. Sinnott shared the vision and long-term strategic goals of the Department of Internal Medicine and how the Division contributes to the fulfillment of the vision. However, the highlight of the evening was honoring Dr. Solomon, who was praised by colleagues and fellows for his 20 years of leadership as Division Director.

Dr. Allan Goldman, Chairman Emeritus, recalled when he first formed the division in 1974 and Dr. Solomon was his first recruit. He touts recruiting Dr. Solomon was "one of the best decisions of my life". At the time, there were only two or three pulmonologists in town. When Dr. Goldman became Chair of the Department, Dr. Solomon became the division director and began the fellowship program, whose 100+ fellows all successfully became Board Certified.

Frank Walsh MD exclaimed that Dr. Solomon is one of the kindest and most generous persons he's ever known who has a tremendous amount of dignity and "not a mean bone in his body". He shared that he has so much respect for Dr. Solomon and tries to emulate his behavior. "He has touched thousands of patients lives and tens of thousands more indirectly through the fellows he has trained. I have a great deal of admiration for him - all are blessed by being associated with him."

Dr. Solomon and wife Bonnie

Long time friend and colleague Richard Lockey MD, Director of Allergy & Immunology, shared that he is a fan of the tremendous work of the division. He proudly noted Dr. Solomon is "the physician's physician" and has saved more patients from unnecessary surgeries than can be counted. "All are lucky to not only receive great training and instruction from him, but to have him to call on for guidance with patients."

Dr. Sinnott has arranged for the first internal medicine grand rounds lecture each July to be named the David A Solomon Grand Rounds Lectureship in honor of the month Dr. Solomon began his tenure with USF. He received a standing ovation as he was presented with a Legendary Leadership Award and embroidered polo.

Dr. Solomon has been faculty and an attending with USF Health for nearly 40 years. He will continue to serve as the Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship Program Director as well as Chair of the Departmental Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee. He will also direct the division's research efforts.

Such comparative effectiveness research (CER) aims "to assist consumers, clinicians, purchasers, and policy makers to make informed decisions that will improve health care (outcomes) at both the individual and population levels." Related health outcomes, quality improvement and patient safety research all seek to enhance value in health care delivery. To meet this need USF Health established the Comparative Effectiveness Research program.

The BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic hosted its 6th Annual Holiday Celebration for families who receive medical care at their clinic on Thursday, December 11th at the USF Physical Therapy lounge and courtyard.

BRIDGE Clinic volunteers consisting of USF medical, pharmacy students as well as faculty arranged the event, which benefited 25 families including 63 children, all of whom live in underserved communities around USF. Families got to sing along to christmas carols, decorate holiday cookies, dance and enjoy live music and food. The highlight of the evening was when Santa came to visit and take group photos with the families. After getting their picture with Santa, each family was given a bundle of gifts, which were donated by members of the community, USF faculty and staff, and students. The gifts ranged from toys and clothes to gift cards to grocery stores.

Lucy Guerra MD, MPH, our General Internal Medicine Division Director, is a medical director of the clinic along with family medicine professor Eduardo Gonzalez MD, FAAFP.

The BRIDGE clinic directors are grateful to all donors and volunteers who made the event possible, and are looking forward to the 7th annual BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic Holiday Celebration next December.

Started in 2007, the BRIDGE Clinic is a free student-run clinic that stands for Building Relationships and Initiatives Dedicated to Gaining Equality. They

serve uninsured adults 18 and older who are more than 200 percent below the poverty level. Their care is offered through a

collaboration of medicine, physical therapy, social work, public health, and pharmacy providers.

2nd Annual Celebration of Success Honors Staff and Partners for their Contributions

On Wednesday December 10th the Department of Internal Medicine's 2nd Annual Celebration of Success brought together more than 170

faculty, staff, senior leadership and partners to recognize the efforts and contributions of our faculty and staff.

Dr. Sinnott started the evening introducing our guests and supporters, which included USF President Judy Genshaft, Office of the President Chief of Staff Cindy Visot, Ed D, Rhea Law, JD, Dean Charles Lockwood, new COO and CEO of the USF Physicians Group Richard Sobieray, COO of USF Health Edmund Funai, chairs and directors of Morsani College of Medicine departments, and partners from PatientsLikeMe, TGH and the community. No one was spared from Dr. Sinnott's humerous introductions.

Some of the major successes of the year highlighted include:

96% board pass rate, the highest for the IM Residency program in years

40+ USF Health students, residents and faculty supported to go on international service trips through the IM Sustainable program.

President Genshaft gave us some fist pumps and a round of applause as PatrickHenry, Director of Development and Alumni Relations for MCOM, congratulated us for our 300% increase in participation/giving in the 2014 Faculty & Staff Campaign - noting we were one of the top participating departments in USF Health.

Dean Lockwood shared how impressed he was with our faculty and staff achievements and that he looked forward to working with us in the years to come. He helped Dr. Sinnott present our Exemplary Leadership Award and newest Patient Centered Partner Awards.

Congratulations to our partners, supporters, faculty and staff who were awarded the following:

Exemplary Leadership Award = Mr. Sidney Fernandes, CIO of USF Health, for his guidance and support of the department.